New Instructors - Is it hard instructing in the beginning?

[helinas]

This question is to instructors who once were new and to describe how your instructing job began when you first started out?

Were you nervous with your first student?

Demonstrating upper air work for the first time, was this a little nervous for you as a new instructor such as stalls, spins, spirals?

And any other stories that you might have that you like to share? I will be attempting in getting my instructor rating and just wondering if former new instructors had the jitters.

thanks guys

[Front.]

Well the thing about instructing (so i heard) is that you improve per student because you start realizing that teaching something such and such way is more comprehendable. (even a word) ? lol

Now my take on it is that don't be nervous; think about this, you know more than the student (well in most cases) and you're perhaps the person the student is looking up to. Do your job, don't be a dick, and i don't think there should be any reason for you to be nervous.

The time to start becoming nervous is when you start hearing a majority of people talking b's behind your back (well really not then should u even care) but if anything, that's the moment.

Since i figure you'll do your job just fine, just go ahead, enjoy your time up there, and have fun getting used to 6 flights a day.

[bob sacamano]

You should always be ahead of the student and airplane.

Do your best not to doze off and watch what they are doing, since they're usually out to kill you.

If you're anticipating what's to come, you can fix it before it happens.

Make sure you are always on the same page.

If you're nervous or scared, you shouldn't be up there.

You're the PIC at all times, hence you should be aware of what's happening rather than shocked, scared, surprised, etc.

Aware is the key word, not nervous or scared.

[sky's the limit]

Of course it's hard, and they should be nervous.... Teaching someone something, when you know almost nothing, tends to do that to a person.

STL

[looproll]

Were you nervous with your first student?

Demonstrating upper air work for the first time, was this a little nervous for you as a new instructor such as stalls, spins, spirals?

And any other stories that you might have that you like to share? I will be attempting in getting my instructor rating and just wondering if former new instructors had the jitters.

I don't even remember my first student, but I know I was a bit nervous. Nervous about getting it right, not looking like a goof, not smelling like funky BO (a previous thread on this subject comes to mind) as well as countless other details. It all came together by the end of the lesson, and it only gets better as you go.

As for upper air work, I was very comfortable with the airplane and was very interested in aerobatics so it was a piece of cake. In my opinion, every instructor, no, every pilot should do aerobatic training. It makes you more comfortable with unusual attitudes and more aware of aircraft and personal limitations.

Instructing for me has always been a highly enjoyable endeavor. I don't really enjoy the ab initio training like I once did, that's why I don't do it any more, but aerobatics and tailwheel training offer room to stretch out and enjoy instructing again. Perhaps multi IFR, floats, helicopter, ultralight etc. will give you a new challenge as you progress as an aviator. So many things to learn and teach. Learn it well THEN teach it, not the other way around

You're going to have a blast and learn so much! [/code]

[master switch]

most people you read here dont think instructors fly the plane ever. so if you ask them theyll tell you its pretty easy

[helinas]

I agree totally with you looproll. I have made plans to take a aerobatic course that lasts approximately 3 days where I will perform at least 20 to 25 spins in that time frame. He will also show me other aerobatic maneouvers in a aerobat 152. I like to learn more about aerboatics so when I teach my future students wherever I will get an instructing job the upper air work stuff it will be a blast in comfort.

thanks for the stories and keep them coming.

[Miss Mae]

On my first day of work as a flight instructor I remember being more anxious than nervous. It was my first job as a commercial pilot and I was pretty pumped.

[B-rad]

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[Aeros]

On my first day of work as a flight instructor I remember being more anxious than nervous.

not to be too picky but just so ya know. anxious/nervous, same thing. eager is when your excited to do something. oh i could be an englush teacher too!

I wouldn't be too quick to start teaching English if I were you.......

[bob sacamano]

On my first day of work as a flight instructor I remember being more anxious than nervous.

not to be too picky but just so ya know. anxious/nervous, same thing. eager is when your excited to do something. oh i could be an englush teacher too!

I wouldn't be too quick to start teaching English if I were you.......

Errrrr ... Sarcasm anyone?

[B-rad]

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[Mr. Jones]

I too was a little nervous on my first few flights but once you have a few lessons under your belt it gets a lot easier. As a new instructor be prepared to really go to work on short final. This is the phase of flight where you need to be on a 110%. Shadow the controls and be prepared for the unexpected. Upper air work is all pretty easy but I found spins a bit challenging because you never quite know how the student will react. I spend a fair amount of time on the ground brief for spins to ensure the student really knows what to expect. Prior to demonstrating a full spin I put the fuel cup on the glare shield without explaining why. Student usually asks “What’s that there for?” I reply “I’ll explain in a minute.” I do the spin demo student is usually a little freaked out and then I explain that it couldn’t have been that bad “look the fuel cup didn’t even move”. This helps reinforce that spins may be visually dramatic (traumatic for some) but physically they are a relatively light G stable manoeuvre.

[Front.]

i can't see how spins are by any chance uncomfortable lol. It's the meat of flying, well except for IFR lol.

Spinning is about the most amusing thing; now i don't know how amusing it gets after doing it 6 times straight, but i think it's awesome... considering that i've always been a kid affraid of heights, i don't see how a spin shouldn't of been the scariest thing lol. I did it, so can you

And helinas, bob said it right there

You should always be ahead of the student and airplane.

This applies not to only instructing, but any time of flying...

[BTD]

I agree with B-rad. You come to realize that sometimes just shutting up is the best way for them to learn. You will improve your techniques as you go and will find more efficient ways to do everything with each new student.

One thing to watch out for (and it is tough not to do) is having your hand too close to the controls on final. Sure on the first couple of landings you might need to, but do it too much and the student starts watching your hands and not the runway in front of them. I leave my hands on my lap or on my knees ready to go, but not touching the controls. You will get a sense as you progress how far you can let a student screw it up before you need say something or take control.

Even on landings and what not, I have very rarely had a student try to "kill" me (It has happened a few times). They usually just need some help with the flare etc and most of the time they can be talked through it.

Just make sure on their upper airwork they are looking outside. If they are not, cover up the instruments. A casual look over at their eyes will do.


BTD

[B-rad]

good point BTD, always having you hands close to the controls on your lap. and with that in mind. let the student know when your touching the controls. some students think your pushing the rudder when your not and they seam to just pass up the controls. and also when they know they have complete control, they feel better about what they're doing. make it clear who has control.
about the student trying to kill you.. watch out for when they let go of the crosswind inputs in the flare, land sideways, the plane starts a sideways porpose and they they get freaked out and FREEZE locked on the controls so you cant put in any power when you call for control. oh and try not to strangle them after you manage to regain control. im sure they are feeling pretty low at this point so maybe let them know a bad landing can happen to anyone. lol again best of luck.

[Clodhopper]

I think one of the hardest things about starting off instructing is keeping your skills proficient. I found that other than my training for the rating and whatever was asked on the ride, I found myself a few weeks/months down the road without having done a short or soft field landing, or a CPL Steep turn. Once you're established and busy enough, you're doing them so often that the skills stay sharp.

Without constant practice it makes it harder (NOT impossible ) to just pull one out of your arse when required to show the student.

If you do sightseeing flights or intro's, try to use those to brush up your skills. Or depending on where your student is, remind them or preview new items for them (short and soft, etc).

Or, you could find a school that offers PD flying to their instructors at no cost.

(edit)

Oh, and another thing you'll find out real quick? Your lesson plans work great with someone who gets it the first time, but you've gotta be on your toes and ready to come up with 2, 3, or 4 different ways to describe something for a person who doesnt get it TC's way...

[adhc2]

greetings Helinas
I,m always glad to see people starting into commercial aviation as a flight instructor. Personally I have the upmost respect for flight instructors and although I have never had an instructors rating, I have done many float endorsements and lots of advanced float training. There is much gratification in passing along a skill to the unintiated, although it presents many challenges. Without the instructor training I had to wing it so to speak and I must say I learned a lot as I had to explain the nuts and bolts of what to do in terms that the student could understand and use. My feeling is that you must 1st be a good communicator. A thorough pre brief and debrief are a good place to start. I found that if I had my student study the agenda for the lesson ahead of time it helped immensly as they knew what to expect, grasped the exercise, and had a much more enjoyable experience. Positive reenforcement is the key, acknowledge their sucesses. and apply constructive critisizm to the their failures. I try to put myself in the students shoes and think in terms of how I would like to be treated if I was the student. Let the student know that this is about them and if they don,t understand or if u make a mistake that it is ok for them to question and important to get their input. Most of all if its worth doin its worth doin right. After all flying can be fun and it is ok for you and the student to enjoy it.

[co-joe]

I was more nervous for my first instructor job than I was for my first kiss...Her name was Becky, her parents dropped her off at the movie theater to meet me (as did mine), we sat holding swaty palms through the whole thing...too scared to let go...but that's not important right now.

Oh right instructing... I thought I was coming in for an interview, as soon as I arived I went up for a 0.5 checkout and my first student was waiting when I got back. Half way through the day I had to rip into to town to buy some gravol to keep my breakfast down... What a day! Whoa!

[master switch]

I was more nervous for my first instructor job than I was for my first kiss...Her name was Becky, her parents dropped her off at the movie theater to meet me (as did mine), we sat holding swaty palms through the whole thing...too scared to let go...but that's not important right now.

thats so ghey.

anyways, instructing is easy at the begining because you still have money in your bank. as the weeks go by instructing gets harder because you cant put gas in the car and grub in your mouth without wondeing if you maxed out your credit. money or food, get used to asking yourself that. and try to get hired at a place that wont hate you for gettng a second job, like wendy's or the big golden arches if youre lucky, in the winter where youl make more than you will instructing.

[Switchfoot]

This question is to instructors who once were new and to describe how your instructing job began when you first started out?

When I started, I did not feel adequately prepared to teach people. As it turned out though, it became comfortable and actually quite easy quickly. Everyone has a different approach to teaching and to learning - find what works for you and your students and use that method.

It gets even better when you send a student or two for the first solo and the rewards associated with that and when they pass a ride. Remember that your students are your customers and paycheck. Remember also that you were once a student and adapt your teaching style to fit their needs. You will then be successful.

Teaching anything, but especially flying is rewarding in many ways... you will learn about flying and learn quickly whether it's for you or not. You will make good friends and meet great people. And it will get you ahead in your aviation career. Many here will attest to that.

Good luck!

Switch.

[waltair]

Hey, I loved instructing! Relaxing and smiling are probably just as important as the correction phase for mistakes. Just like the little instructor manual says, a genuine concern for the students goes a long way to making the atmosphere relaxed for learning.

This whole flying thing should be enjoyable, at least how I see it. Meeting more like minded people who enjoy planes is one of the best parts of instructing.

enjoy! Soon enough, like me, you may find yourself flying big planes, but in the right seat, so you can not instruct, at least until you become captain.

[2R]

Get the lobster pot out ,boil up some water ,boil your head for about five minutes .I call it the instructor simulator as your head will hurt less pareboiled than an afternoon teaching knuckleheads how to fly.